Photo Essays
Gates Speaks at Virginia Military Institute
Hundreds of people gather at the Virginia Military Institute to attend the 2008 graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates walks with retired U.S. Army Gen. Binnie Peay, Virginia Military Institute's 14th superintendent, to participate in the 2008 graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates receives a tour of Marshall Library from Bob James at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Staff members and faculty wait to enter Cameron Hall to attend the Virginia Military Institute 2008 graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Underclassmen congratulate the graduating seniors as they march into Cameron Hall to attend the Virginia Military Institute 2008 graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Underclassmen congratulate the graduating seniors as they march into Cameron Hall to attend the Virginia Military Institute 2008 graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. A graduating senior looks over the schedule during the Virginia Military Institute 2008 graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Class valedictorian Jesse Burnette, a history major from Marion, N.C., addresses the audience and his fellow graduates during the Virginia Military Institute graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Burnette was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and assigned to the infantry. Class valedictorian Jesse Burnette, a history major from Marion, N.C., addresses the audience and his fellow graduates during the Virginia Military Institute graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Burnette was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and assigned to the infantry. Class President Jason Webb of Bowie, Md., introduces Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates during the Virginia Military Institute Graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the audience and graduating cadets during the Virginia Military Institute Graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the audience and graduating cadets during the Virginia Military Institute Graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the audience and graduating cadets during the Virginia Military Institute Graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Class President Jason Webb of Bowie, Md., presents a saber to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates during the Virginia Military Institute Graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008. Family members cheer as the 2008 Virginia Military Institute graduating cadets receive their diplomas during the graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008.Graduating cadets throw their gloves in the air at the end of the Virginia Military Institute graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008.
Hundreds of people gather at the Virginia Military Institute to attend the 2008 graduation ceremony in Lexington, Va., May 16, 2008.
Defense Dept. photo by Cherie Cullen